Re:Economics in One Lesson: "The Curse of Machinery"
by tcskeptic on Monday February 15, 2010 @04:55PM
(#1127618)
This assumes the Teamsters have no power, which they do. The power of the Longshoremen to prevent substantial automation (compared to other major ports) in the Port of Los Angeles and the resulting productivity deficit vs the Port of Rotterdam for example appears to be realtively durable.
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Re:Economics in One Lesson: "The Curse of Machinery"
by philk on Monday February 15, 2010 @06:10PM
(#1127816)
Once the entire logistical chain is fully automated the teamsters will have much less power. After all, if you don't need workers it doesn't matter if they strike.
Re:Economics in One Lesson: "The Curse of Machinery"
by jfoutz on Monday February 15, 2010 @06:41PM
(#1127874)
A strike seems like the perfect time to introduce automation.
Re:Economics in One Lesson: "The Curse of Machinery"
by kungfooey on Monday February 15, 2010 @07:20PM
(#1127935)
The only thing you're not including in this equation is votes. Union leaders simply need to convince lawmakers that it's in their best interests to pass favorable legislation limiting the adoption of new technologies. It's certainly been done before.
Re:Economics in One Lesson: "The Curse of Machinery"
by philk on Monday February 15, 2010 @11:11PM
(#1128293)
This is where America's organization as a collection of states is helpful. At least one or two states will be willing to let automation take over once it's developed, and it's effectiveness there can become leverage to spread it to other states.
Re:Economics in One Lesson: "The Curse of Machinery"
by roundsquare on Tuesday February 16, 2010 @04:20AM
(#1128616)
That seems to assume a (almost) simultaneous switch from manual to automatic. In reality, it would probably be done as a small test case to see how well it works and be expanded slowly. A strike during this process can still be damaging.
Re:Economics in One Lesson: "The Curse of Machinery"
by nandemo on Monday February 15, 2010 @06:47PM
(#1127881)
In my country buses have a driver and a charger, who collects the fares.
Some companies started replacing the chargers with automatic fare collection equipment. But it turned out they weren't allowed to fire the chargers. So there's still a charger in each bus who will sell you the ticket so you can put it into the machine. Oh, you bought a ticket before boarding? Well, the charger still has a job to do: to ensure you do use the ticket (the driver can't do it because the gate is in the middle section of the bus).
Re:Economics in One Lesson: "The Curse of Machinery"
by nitrogen on Monday February 15, 2010 @10:47PM
(#1128249)
In contrast, I purchased a ticket for and boarded a recently-developed commuter train in my area and not once on my journey did I encounter anyone who worked for the transportation company. Not even on the crowded return trip was there a ticket check.